Nov. 27, 2018 — Nature 1, field hockey 0

This evening, the United States got by Belgium in the second of a three-Test series in Lancaster, Pa., thanks to a late Kat Sharkey goal.

But the 900 or so spectators saw something that few probably have ever seen: an FIH-sanctioned match which was played both in the open air and in a climate-controlled dome.

The game started on the Spooky Nook outdoor pitch under cold and slightly blustery conditions. Condensation from either the air or from previous waterings of the turf led to slick patches on the turf, necessitating the move of the proceedings indoors.

Spooky Nook’s domed field had already made some history just this past weekend, as it was the site of the NCAA Division III Final Four.

Also making some history was the unheralded Danielle Gerga, who had an enormous impact on the contest. The forward from Kingston Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) and Old Dominion University had a goal in the first 30 seconds, rivaling the goal that Melissa Gonzalez scored at Rio 2016 against Japan in just 16 seconds.

Kelsey Bing, late of Stanford University, had a number of key saves in the final quarter to keep the Red Panthers off the board.

The series is tied at one game apiece, with the third match scheduled for Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. The game-time temperature, according to a cursory look at the hourly predictions from The Weather Channel, will be 36 degrees with a feels-like temperature of about 30.